On a Wing and a Prayer

Whether called malachim, devas, or ministering spirits, angels are the heavenly messengers that people of various religions believe in and ask for guidance.

Here, we have assembled a number of prayers across faiths that you can memorize and say during times when comfort and courage are needed most.

Click here to read the first angel prayer.


Painting: "Music Making Angel with Violin" by Melozzo da Forli

Guardian Angel Prayers

Version 1
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God's love commits me here.
Watch over me throughout the night,
keep me safe within your sight.

Version 2
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God's love entrusts me here.
Ever this day be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide.


Source: Traditional Catholic Prayers

Painting: "Night with Her Train of Stars" by Edward Robert Hughes

Prayer to the Angel of the Morning

Radiant Angel of the Morning,
who sings to me through the song of the birds
and caresses my soul through the play of the new-born light,
throw your glorious garment of love around the Earth,
around her human children,
her animal children,
and all her world of nature and its spirits;
and bless the chalice within our hearts
which receives the spiritual sunlight.


Source: Reprinted from 'Angel Inspiration' by Diana Cooper, with permission of Findhorn Press. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.

Painting: "Angel Standing in a Storm" by J.M.W. Turner

A Prayer for Strength

Dear Gabriel,

I pray to you to assist me as I develop the strength to carry out my life's mission. Please send your strengthening energy to help me to live life with courage and love for myself and all humanity. With your guidance I will strive to fulfill my purpose and assist others on their journey.

This I ask of you through the universal Christ energy.
Amen.


Source: Reprinted from "Angelic Enlightenment: A Personal Process" by Linda and Peter Miller-Russo, with permission of Llewellyn. Copyright 1999.

Painting: "Archangel Gabriel" by Masolino da Panicale

Prayer for Breaking a Fast

May the fasting break their fast in your home, and may the dutiful and pious eat your food, and may the angels send prayers upon you.
- Muslim Prayer


Source: 'A Catalogue of Angels: The Heavenly, the Fallen, and Holy Ones Among Us,' by Vinita Hampton Wright. Copyright 2006 by Vinita Hampton Wright. Used by permission of Paraclete Press.

Painting: A Persian image of Jibrail (or, Gabriel)

Angel Prayer for Healing the Earth

We call on the Archangel Raphael,
the Earth Angel Sophia,
and all the Healing Angels,
to bring healing to our beloved Mother Earth.
We send forth the golden starlight from our own human hearts
to penetrate, bless and heal the Earth,
her animals, and her world of Nature and its spirits;
and to speed and ground the healing rays
manifested by the angels.
We send forth the golden starlight from our hearts
to heal and bless our humanity.
We pray for the upliftment of every member of humankind
into the spheres of harmony
and perfect spiritual attunement
which resonate between the Earth and her human children.


Source: Reprinted from 'Angel Inspiration' by Diana Cooper, with permission of Findhorn Press. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.

Painting: "Angel Ralphael Leaving Tobit and His Family" by Rembrandt

Chant for Inner Strength

I call the light of golden rays
I seek protection thus,
I pray for heavenly forces at my side
angels, sages, spirit guides or wolves
who walk with cunning skill
Come to my aid!
Come at my will!
Black bird soaring light my path
so I am victim to no one's wrath!
And when my journey knows success,
all those who aid me Goddess bless!
- Autumn Raindancer


Source: New Moon

Painting: "Angel Playing a Flageolet" br Edward Burne-Jones

Surround and Enlighten Us

Surround us with Your holy angels, that guided and guarded by them, we may attain the unity of the faith and the knowledge of Your unapproachable glory, for you are blessed forever and ever.
Amen.
- Orthodox Evening Prayer, for Enlightenment

Source: Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church

***
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.

Enlighten my mind, O good one, and illumine me, I pray thee, O holy Angel, and teach me to think always positively and profitably.
- Canon to the Guardian Angel (Song 6)

Source: Myriobiblos

Painting: An Eastern Orthodox image of Synaxis of the Bodiless Powers

Prayer to the Archangel Michael

Saint Michael the Archangel,
Powerful Spirit of Truth
Take my hand and lead me to Divine Truth.
Protect me from all the evil in the world.
Guard me and compensate for all my weaknesses.
Change, bless, and restore the consequences of all my mistakes.
Carry me on the wings of your love and might to the Throne of God and pray to Him with me forever.
Amen.


Source: Excerpted from "Angel Power" by Janice T. Connell, with permission of Ballantine Books. Copyright 1995.

Painting: "Archangel Machael Overthrows the Rebel Angel" by Luca Giordano

Bless the Children

May the angel who redeems from all harm bless the children.
- Jewish Bedtime Prayer

Source: Jewish Heritage Online Magazine

***

In the Name of Hashem, God of Israel: may Michael be at my right, Gabriel at my left, Uriel before me, and Raphael behind me;
and above my head the Presence of God.
- Verses from the Bedtime Shema


Source: Achim.org

Painting: "Elijah Touched by an Angel" by Marc Chagall

Send Your Angels

Please send Your angels to my side today,
to help keep my mind and heart centered in love.
Help me to live from Your perspective of love,
and to know my oneness with all of life.
Amen.


Source: Excerpted from "The Lightworker's Way" by Doreen Virtue, Ph.D., with permission of by Hay House, Inc. Copyright 1997.

Painting: "Three Hovering Angels" by Meister des Hausbuches

Prayer to the Angel of the Evening

Beautiful Angel of the Evening,
who calls to my soul through the farewell songs of the birds,
and the love-lament of the fading light,
and the softly-stealing dusk,
wrap your mantle of protection around the Earth this night,
around her human children,
her animal children,
and all her world of nature and its spirits;
and bless the footfalls of the Lightener of the Stars.


Source: Reprinted from 'Angel Inspiration' by Diana Cooper, with permission of Findhorn Press. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.

Painting: "Moon Boat to Dreamland" by Hugh Williams

Blessing at Bedtime

Angels bless and angels keep
Angels guard me while I sleep
Bless my heart and bless my home
Bless my spirit as I roam
Guide and guard me through the night
and wake me with the morning's light.
Amen.


Source: Traditional Catholic Prayer

Painting: "Winged Figure" by William Abbott Thayer